Abscess on the buttocks – causes, symptoms & therapy

Abscess on buttocks

It starts with a slight pain in the buttocks. A pimple soon develops and slowly gets bigger. Many patients underestimate an abscess on the buttocks , let the disease progress or even try to fix the problem themselves. Also, many patients may feel uncomfortable seeing a doctor about an abscess, but an untreated abscess can have serious consequences.

What is a butt abscess?

Abscesses are accumulations of pus in body tissues that have different causes. An abscess is when tissue becomes inflamed and slowly fills with pus . Facial pimples are small abscesses, but the pus can drain quickly. In the case of an abscess, however, the drainage of the pus is prevented. The body surrounds this area with a protective layer.

If the inflammation persists, the abscess will continue to enlarge. It can increase in diameter from a few millimeters to ten centimeters in diameter. The tissue dies and is broken down by bacteria , causing pus to form. Abscesses can develop anywhere on the body, but especially in tissues that contain a lot of fat. An abscess on the buttocks can develop outside the body as well as inside as an anal abscess. In the latter case, patients often only notice it because of the pain that occurs.

Causes

An abscess is caused by bacteria. Tissue becomes inflamed, reddish in color, and painfully swollen. The buttocks area is generally a part of the body that is very heavily exposed to bacteria – both through the excreta and through the contact that the buttocks have with other surfaces when sitting. 

On the one hand, the bacteria populate the skin naturally, but they can also colonize the anal area through contact or poor hygiene. A weakened immune system , diabetes , and skin conditions can all contribute to the formation of an abscess. But tight, improper clothing can also cause an abscess on the buttocks, because the skin is damaged by chafing. The bacteria easily attack this affected area of ​​skin and inflame it.

When to the doctor?

If the supposed pimple on the buttocks can no longer be removed within a few days with ointment or other treatment, or if it keeps growing, the suspicion of an abscess is very close. This can cause severe pain and be filled with pus. Under no circumstances should you self-treat an abscess on your bottom, even if over-the-counter medication is available in pharmacies. Here it is strongly recommended to consult a doctor. If additional symptoms such as fever or a red stripe appear on the skin, a doctor must be consulted immediately, as blood poisoning may be present.

Due to the constant heat, there is moisture in the bottom and in the genital area in particular, which leads to the rapid spread of bacteria and germs. False shame is out of place here, because an abscess must be surgically opened and removed promptly. This is done painlessly under local anesthesia. This process is especially important to remove pus and dead cells and prevent infection. Since an abscess on the buttocks is always caused by bacteria that can penetrate the body through small wounds, antibacterial wound care by a doctor is necessary to guarantee rapid healing.

Symptoms and course

Bacteria initially cause a slight inflammation , which develops into a focus of pus over the course of days. When this pus cannot drain, the abscess develops. It is accompanied by severe pain and fever. Patients must consult a doctor and by no means treat the focus of pus themselves. The doctor can clarify the causes and initiate measures. The encapsulation of the abscess protects the body from further invasion of the bacteria. However, waiting or self-treatment can allow the bacteria to get into other parts of the body or even the bloodstream.

If the abscess is not treated, the bacteria will also spread to neighboring tissues; In the long term, foci of inflammation also develop in areas that are further away. If the spot turns red or if reddish streaks form on the skin, blood poisoning is imminent. If you suspect an anal abscess, you should see a doctor immediately.

Diagnosis

Buttock abscesses are easy to spot when they are just under the skin. If the pain is severe, going to the doctor is unavoidable. This can clarify whether it is an abscess or a furuncle. In the case of an abscess lying directly under the skin, the doctor can identify the abscess with the help of the displayed symptoms, such as redness, swelling , but also measuring the temperature. For deeper abscesses or an anal abscess that is not easy to feel or see, they will order an ultrasound scan. With this method, a large focus of pus in the lower tissues of the body is displayed directly.

In more difficult cases, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is also used to locate abscesses inside the body. Anal abscesses often form only in the lower anal area and are easily located with ultrasound examinations.

Complications

An abscess on the bottom is a clinical picture that is also associated with many different complications. In most cases, an abscess develops from a normal pimple. An abscess creates a cavity that then fills with pus. Under certain circumstances, the pus fluid cannot drain properly, so that the abscess becomes larger within a short time. The pressure inside the abscess increases, allowing the bacteria and viruses to get into the blood. When this process happens, one speaks of blood poisoning. Blood poisoning is a very serious complication that should be urgently evaluated and treated by a doctor.

Affected people who do not receive the appropriate treatment in such a case are taking a great risk. It is not uncommon for blood poisoning to be life-threatening, so a visit to the doctor is essential. Other complications that can occur are fever, chills or nausea. Even with these clinical pictures, a doctor’s visit should not be delayed for long. An abscess can only heal completely with the right treatment and appropriate medication. Nevertheless, great caution is also required during the healing process, because here, too, inflammation can develop very quickly. If hygiene is neglected at this point, there is a risk of repeated pus formation. Therefore, affected persons must keep the wound clean and clean at all times.

Treatment and therapy

Surgical intervention is necessary for treatment, the size and duration of which is determined by the location of the abscess. A local anesthetic is sufficient for an abscess on the buttocks. The doctor then cuts open the abscess and drains the pus. Finally, he will remove and disinfect the tissue. There is no sewing; the spot remains open to allow newly formed pus to drain out in the following days. Depending on the size of the abscess, the site will heal in three to five days.

Penicillin is also often given to prevent delayed inflammation. If the abscess is already advanced, a hospital stay is necessary, during which antibiotics kill the bacteria in the body. Internal abscesses require major surgery, which may include general anesthesia. A small scar often remains after the operation.

Prevention

Since an abscess on the bottom has a bacterial cause, good hygiene helps. The anal area in particular needs to be cleaned and washed every day. Many people also forget their buttocks when showering. Normal washing already prevents bacterial colonization. Clothing that is too tight chafes and causes skin damage.Patients suffering from diabetes must ensure that the skin on the buttocks does not suffer any major damage. The bacteria cannot penetrate healthy skin. In general, an abscess on the bottom cannot be prevented, but if you pay attention to your body and your health, you can significantly reduce the risk.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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